Feedback

Sometimes it's nice to receive positive feedback.
Especially if that feedback is given freely  and out of the blue.
And, in my case, at a time that my ebb is at a particularly low point.
After publicising The Trelawnyd Flower Show on facebook, I've had an opportunity to check on old colleagues from my old psychiatric and spinal injury days. Some, I have had a chance to touch base with again which has been lovely, but most that have acknowledged  me as " friends" have  just clicked a button stating that in one moment in time our paths crossed.,..and thats fine.
A hundred or so old faces have given me a "blast from the past"
Last night, a former colleague left me a message out of the blue. She wasn't a friend....I was her boss at the time, and after a decade of separation, I had to think hard to remember her from work.
She told me that I had been a good manager and a good boss and her words of feedback came as an unexpected tonic in this week of heaviness.
Four other old colleagues left their own thoughts afterwards, all nurses that didn't possess the loyal complication of friendship, and it was lovely to be reminded that in a former city life I was once good at something a little more.
I have just re read this blog today and I want to say that I am not touting for more feedback of what a superb specimen of manhood I am..so please no comments saying the same ........
But if you work with someone, and you think that they do a good job........whether they be a junior apprentice or a chief executive
Tell em eh?

  • Jo Tinker I have to agree with the ^^^ comments John, I think I had respect back then, firm but fair & always good for a laugh, we always knew where we stood with you xx
    Like · Reply · 3 · 10 hrs

38 comments:

  1. I once read a similar comment about my late father on a Facebook page for one of his old ships (he was in the Navy!) was lovely to hear what he was like as a boss, reminded me that there was more to him that I could know. Glad you received this validation when you needed it xxx

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    1. Jenni...it was good timing , it really was

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  2. I often wish I could do the same for a few of my old teachers who really made a difference to me.

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    1. Thats what, i think most of us wantto do. When we are kids we lack the social skills to thank those teachers that inspire us

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    2. Sometimes you can find 'em on facebook if you ever knew their first name! :) I had couple of great English teachers I'd love to tell I've become a novelist. Might make them having had to read through my incredibly long story assignments retrospectively worth it to them. :D

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  3. A good reminder! People always seem quick to point out what someone has done wrong, instead of what they've done right. It reminds me of the quote by Mark Twain who said, "I can live for two months on a good compliment." ---True.....

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  4. If you are reading this David Cameron, I think you are a great national boss. Your wisdom and humanity shine forth from every pore of your being. Debonair and handsome, I know how much your desire to bomb the shit out of Syria keeps you awake at night. Your election manifesto was honest, clear and though you were born into privilege you are a fine champion of the common people. Thank you Lord David of Witney for being our overall boss.

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  5. Yes. People can be quick to criticize but it is good and nice to get praise where praise is due.

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  6. sing the praises of squire john gray, a friend to humans and animals alike!

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  7. I still have to say what a superb specimen of manhood you are though, John.

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    1. You are remembering that weekend in cromer arnt you?

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    2. You mean the one where you both caught crabs?

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  8. My g-grandfather's WW1 character record states he was 'honest and sober'. What more could you ask?

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  9. Anonymous11:10 am

    We're a very small family, so didn't expect many people at my dad's funeral, there were almost three hundred!
    People he'd worked with over the years, old neighbours, all sorts of people who said dad had helped them in some way.
    It was years before mum and I could steel ourselves to read the messages on the cards, and the one that sticks in my mind today said 'To a big man, with an even bigger heart', which was lovely (and understandable, dad was 6'5" tall), and a lovely thing for us to read.
    We, and he, knew he was well liked, but it's a shame these people didn't let him know when he was alive just how much he meant.
    When I retired from work, the presents, cards and messages from colleagues were lovely, but the ones I received from clients whom I had helped over the years, well, I really treasure those!
    I have to make one small point though John, you really are a superb specimen of manhood!

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  10. I agree with you John, it's so important to let our work colleagues know when they've done a good job. I do try to say thank you and well done; people are often surprised, saying 'oh no-one's said that before...' which makes me wonder (even more) about some of the managers!

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  11. Yes, John, I couldn't agree more.x

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  12. Uh oh. Hope you're not going to disappear into Facebook, twitter and instagram. Here's an old saying I think sums up your thought. What goes without saying, needs to be said.

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  13. We are always quick to moan about people but often forget to give credit where credit's due aren't we ?
    I just hope that you're still ' talking ' to me after my ' fat bitch ' comment John …… was just kidding ….. Love you !!!!!!!!!!!! XXXX

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  14. The least expected compliment is the best one.

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  15. Si good to receive & give positive comments x

    I was called a little Ray of Sunshine by an elderly customer of the shop. It made my day x

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  16. I couldn't possibly comment on your manhood. You'd make a cracking Scotch Egg though! xxx

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  17. I can't comment on work, I don't work. When I did work, it was all glamour and no substance. But you .. you are just full of substance :)
    Have a good weekend.

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  18. As instructed, no comment on what a great human being you might be...but I don't recall having seen the "Terriers of Trelawynd" walking on the beach together before this evening...a wonderful picture of the three in happier times :)

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  19. I think your rule applies to everything John. There is not enough praise given and everyone is quick to criticise. When I first met the farmer (we have been married for 22 years) he never gave praise and when I asked him why he replied that he had been brought up to believe there was always room for improvement! I soon got him out of that. A little praise for something well done goes an awful long way - and makes both the giver and the receiver feel so good.
    A friend and I sat outside the cafe the other morning having a coffee when a lady went past in an absolutely lovely dress. My friend smiled at her and said, ' Excuse me but you look absolutely lovely in that dress.' The woman smiled and thanked her and you could see how chuffed she was. Sadly she didn't return our compliment by saying' you both have lovely T shirts on too.' !!!

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    1. Nicely put pat.
      In my workplce now, I seldom hear praise....and i must admit i go out of my way to give it and give it publically sometimes......

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  20. We should all take the time to pay a compliment, and pass on good wishes instead of having the good old moan that we 'British' are so famous for!!

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  21. Kind words do mean so much.

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  22. Anonymous2:10 pm

    I used to work at a hospital near Chicago. If a patient wrote complimentary remarks about their nurses, it went toward their pay increase.

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I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes